Low power Dual-DVI nVidia card

[Zxian]

Hi all!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm looking to upgrade the video cards in my system and I'm considering making the switch from ATI to nVidia. Part of the reason is the performance in the games I tend to choose, and also due to the rediculously high power draw of ATI cards at load (which leads to loud fans).

I'm currently running an XFX 4890 XXX edition as my primary video card, and an XFX 4650 as my secondary card. I have three Samsung 2443BW monitors, one connected to the 4890 and two to the 4650 as the side monitors.

I was looking at buying something in the GTX560/560Ti range for my primary card, but I'm somewhat stumped about replacing my secondary card. I'd prefer something as low power as possible (it's just used to render the desktop) but I need two DVI outputs. The lowest models I've been able to find are in the GT450 range.

Does anyone know of any lower-end nVidia cards with dual DVI outputs?

Thanks in advance.

 

[PingviN]

Hi all!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm looking to upgrade the video cards in my system and I'm considering making the switch from ATI to nVidia. Part of the reason is the performance in the games I tend to choose, and also due to the rediculously high power draw of ATI cards at load (which leads to loud fans).

You do understand that AMD cards have lower power consumption than their Nvidia counterparts, yes? In Load.

 

[Madcatatlas]

Hi mate! welcome to the boards as a posting member!

About your post:

Part of the reason is the performance in the games I tend to choose, and also due to the rediculously high power draw of ATI cards at load (which leads to loud fans).

Being a long time lurker, could you link to some tests showing equivalent AMD and Nvidia hardware and their load power draws? I was under the impression that AMD was way better at this parameter than Nvidia.

 

[Zxian]

Maybe the power consumption itself isn't the factor I was thinking of, but rather the cooling and noise levels. My understanding was that nVidia cards generally had better stock coolers than ATI cards (and from my prior experience, this has been true). While this can change from one manufacturer to another, I'd rather stick with stock components unless the manufacturer allows for the installation of aftermarket heatsinks (like XFX did with my 4890).

Ultimately, my main goal is a video card upgrade from what I have while keeping the video card fan noise as low as possible. My standards of 'low noise' are quite picky, mind you. My server and media center are essentially silent. You have to be within 1ft to even possibly hear the fans from my media center, and the server doesn't put out much more noise than that. The only prominent source of noise in my current desktop is the 4890 - even at idle. I used to do some articles for SilentPCReview.com, so being in that kind of environment makes you realize how much ambient noise there is around us.

If I'm mistaken about the ATI vs nVidia trends when it comes to power, noise, and temperatures, please let me know. I'm not set on one side of the fence or the other per se, but if the better option seems to be nVidia, the question in my original post still stands.

 

[nenforcer]

Here is about the lowest end (GT430 GDDR3 memory)

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814130609

modern, DirectX 11 nVidia card which has Dual-DVI on the back.

The GT 530 should be the next video card nVidia releases but I have no idea the timetable for that.

 

[Lonyo]

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...82E16814500205

Here you go. Just order an HDMI -> DVI adapter to go with it. For $15 shipped AR you can't go wrong.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...I+HDMI&x=0&y=0

Or if you want a different card, pick one:
http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...=1&srchInDesc=

Just because you need to connect two DVI monitors doesn't mean you need two DVI outputs.

 

[Madcatatlas]

Maybe the power consumption itself isn't the factor I was thinking of, but rather the cooling and noise levels. My understanding was that nVidia cards generally had better stock coolers than ATI cards (and from my prior experience, this has been true). While this can change from one manufacturer to another, I'd rather stick with stock components unless the manufacturer allows for the installation of aftermarket heatsinks (like XFX did with my 4890).

Ultimately, my main goal is a video card upgrade from what I have while keeping the video card fan noise as low as possible. My standards of 'low noise' are quite picky, mind you. My server and media center are essentially silent. You have to be within 1ft to even possibly hear the fans from my media center, and the server doesn't put out much more noise than that. The only prominent source of noise in my current desktop is the 4890 - even at idle. I used to do some articles for SilentPCReview.com, so being in that kind of environment makes you realize how much ambient noise there is around us.

If I'm mistaken about the ATI vs nVidia trends when it comes to power, noise, and temperatures, please let me know. I'm not set on one side of the fence or the other per se, but if the better option seems to be nVidia, the question in my original post still stands.

The loudest card of this latest generation of cards: GTX480 aka fermi 1.0
The hottest card of this latest generation of cards: GTX480 aka fermi 1.0

I WAS going to avoid mentioning the so-hot-that-it-will-explode-if-you-OC-it-card... but i think your idea of what is what is so messed up that you need to have it spelled out. GTX590 will explode if you overvolt it and could explode if you oc it even just alittle.

Anyway, gl with your purchase. Im enjoying my fermi 1.2 card

 

[betasub]

^ For its time, the 4890 was an egregious example (XXX edition too!), and shouldn't taken as an indicator of the heat/noise of AMD's current low/mid-range cards (5-6 series). Neverthless, AnandTech's video card reviews compare temperature and fan noise so OP should check out this readily available data.

 

[PingviN]

Maybe the power consumption itself isn't the factor I was thinking of, but rather the cooling and noise levels. My understanding was that nVidia cards generally had better stock coolers than ATI cards (and from my prior experience, this has been true). While this can change from one manufacturer to another, I'd rather stick with stock components unless the manufacturer allows for the installation of aftermarket heatsinks (like XFX did with my 4890).

Ultimately, my main goal is a video card upgrade from what I have while keeping the video card fan noise as low as possible. My standards of 'low noise' are quite picky, mind you. My server and media center are essentially silent. You have to be within 1ft to even possibly hear the fans from my media center, and the server doesn't put out much more noise than that. The only prominent source of noise in my current desktop is the 4890 - even at idle. I used to do some articles for SilentPCReview.com, so being in that kind of environment makes you realize how much ambient noise there is around us.

If I'm mistaken about the ATI vs nVidia trends when it comes to power, noise, and temperatures, please let me know. I'm not set on one side of the fence or the other per se, but if the better option seems to be nVidia, the question in my original post still stands.

HD4890 had a very aggressive fan curve to keep temperatures down, these can normally be adjusted using Rivatuner or the like for a cooler but warmer graphics card.

 

[Puddle Jumper]

Hi all!

Long time lurker, first time poster.

I'm looking to upgrade the video cards in my system and I'm considering making the switch from ATI to nVidia. Part of the reason is the performance in the games I tend to choose, and also due to the rediculously high power draw of ATI cards at load (which leads to loud fans).

I'm currently running an XFX 4890 XXX edition as my primary video card, and an XFX 4650 as my secondary card. I have three Samsung 2443BW monitors, one connected to the 4890 and two to the 4650 as the side monitors.

I was looking at buying something in the GTX560/560Ti range for my primary card, but I'm somewhat stumped about replacing my secondary card. I'd prefer something as low power as possible (it's just used to render the desktop) but I need two DVI outputs. The lowest models I've been able to find are in the GT450 range.

Does anyone know of any lower-end nVidia cards with dual DVI outputs?

Thanks in advance.

A single new ATI card could run all 3 of your monitors. You would just need a DisplayPort to DVI Active adapter like the following one in order to connect the third display.

http://www.newegg.com/Product/Produc...-031-_-Product

I'm using a HD 6850 to run 3 displays with one of those adapters and it has been absolutely flawless.

 

[Zxian]

A little update. After some more digging around on the reviews of various models and makes (and also looking at what was available locally), I've recently purchased a Sapphire 1GB 6870 to replace my 4890. After some quick testing using FurMark and some of the games I play, I must say I am thoroughly impressed.

At the moment, I think I'll just keep my 4650 around, since I have an Accelero heatsink on it that's running passively (temps stay around the 40C mark). If I can find a good deal on the DisplayPort adaptor, I might pull it out. For now though, things are running smoothly.

Thanks for the advice and pointers.

 

[betasub]

^ Glad that you've found a neat solution. Replacing the 4890 with a 6870 should cut down on the heat/noise & it seems you like the extra performance.